Non-girth saddle assembly

ABSTRACT

A non-girth saddle assembly adapted for being removably attached to a horse&#39;&#39;s front legs. The saddle has first and second leg bands attached to the horse&#39;&#39;s first and second front legs, respectively, with at least first and second straps coupled between the saddle and the first and second leg bands, respectively. The saddle carries conventional stirrups with a pad and blanket attached to the saddle.

United States Patent [191 Searl 5] ,March 6, 197 3 I NON-GIRTH SADDLE ASSEMBLY 589,564 9/1897 Jerome ..54 71 Inventor: Stacy F. 1689 National, Space 790,309 5/1905 Paxton ..54/l X Chula vlsta Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 Assistant Examiner-James H. Czerwonky App]. No.: 196,636

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Freeman ..l 19/126 X Morgan ..54/72 Attorney-Richard K. MacNeill 57 ABSTRACT A non-girth saddle assembly adapted for being removably attached to a horses front legs. The saddle has first and second leg bands attached to the horses first and second front legs, respectively, with at least first and second straps coupled between the saddle and the first and second leg bands, respectively. The saddle carries conventional stirrups with a pad and blanket attached to the saddle.

3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTEWR Sign 3; 719,024

INVENTOR. STA CY F SEARL N ON-GIRTI-I SADDLE ASSEMBLY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a non-girth saddle assembly and more particularly to a non-girth saddle assembly attached to a horse s front legs.

According to the invention, a saddle is provided in which at least first and second straps are coupled to first and second leg bands, respectively, carried by the horse s front legs. The straps, preferably, each have elastic sections therein for flexibility. A limiting strap can be coupled between the first and second leg bands for limiting the outward spread of the front legs of the horse to prevent the rapping of the front hoofs against the rear legs of the horse. A conventional pad and blanket are disposed beneath the saddle and attached thereto to obviate any possibility of relative slippage. Conventional stirrups are attached to the saddle. If desired a croup strap can be utilized for eliminating any forward creep of the saddle assembly.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a non-girth saddle assembly.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a non-girth saddle attached to a horse s front legs.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a non-girth saddle coupled through an elastic means to the horse 's front legs.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a non-girth saddle assembly which limits the outward spread of the front legs of the horse.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a non-girth saddle assembly which is inexpensive to manufacture and extremely convenient in use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the FIGURE thereof and wherein the sole FIGURE is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in situ.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring to the drawing, a horse is shown generally at 11 carrying a pad 12 which in turn carries a blanket 13. A girthless saddle 14 is carried by blanket 13. A stirrup 16 is shown attached to saddle l4. Straps 17 and 18 are coupled between saddle l4 and leg band 24 on one of the horses front legs. Straps l7 and 18 have elastic sections 19 and 21 therein. Straps 17 and 18 are coupled to leg band 24 at 22 and 23, respectively. Leg band 24 is removably attached via zipper 26. Leg band 27 is carried by the horses other front leg and is coupled via limiting strap 28 to leg band 24.

It can be seen that through the use of leg bands 26 and 27 on the horses front legs a saddle 14 is attached and carried by the horse without the use of a conventional girth and its attendant anatomical stress to the horse. Through the use of a front leg coupling the tendency of a racehorse, for example, to outbreak the rider is obviated since the saddle is pulled by the horses front legs. Necessary flexibility is implemented through utilization of elastic sections 19 and 21 which will of course, give on the horses forward stride. The limiting strap 28 limits the relative outward movement of the horse s front legs and obviates the gossibility of the front hoofs rapping the rear legs of t e horse. As

mentioned above, a croup strap can be utilized in cases where the saddle 14 has a tendency to creep forward. A further modification would include a conventional breast strap if so desired.

Conventional weight pockets can be located in pad 12. Of course, suitable buckles or snaps (as shown) can be utilized for adjustment and attachment of straps 17 and 18 on either or both sides of the elastic sections 19 and 21.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

l. A non-girth saddle assembly comprising:

first and second leg bands dimensioned for being removably attached to first and second front legs of a horse;

a girthless saddle; and

first and second straps coupling said girthless saddle to said first and second leg bands; respectively.

2. The non-girth saddle assembly of claim 1 and further including:

a section of elastic in each of said first and second straps.

3. The non-girth saddle assembly of claim 1 and further including:

a limiting strap coupled between said first and second leg bands.

1 III 

1. A non-girth saddle assembly comprising: first and second leg bands dimensioned for being removably attached to first and second front legs of a horse; a girthless saddle; and first and second straps coupling said girthless saddle to said first and second leg bands; respectively.
 1. A non-girth saddle assembly comprising: first and second leg bands dimensioned for being removably attached to first and second front legs of a horse; a girthless saddle; and first and second straps coupling said girthless saddle to said first and second leg bands; respectively.
 2. The non-girth saddle assembly of claim 1 and further including: a section of elastic in each of said first and second straps. 